City Council lifts the City’s hiring freeze

At its Dec. 6 meeting, the City Council voted to lift the City’s hiring freeze, which was instituted in 2008 in response to unanticipated financial pressure, including the $13.1 million cut in 2009 Local Government Aid.

Following the freeze, the City took significant steps to streamline the organization, find efficiencies, improve accountability and address financial challenges. Between 2009 and 2012, 304 City positions were eliminated. These actions and responsible departmental business planning have made it possible to lift the hiring freeze.

Lifting the freeze will reduce the administrative paperwork that resulted from departments seeking a waiver from the hiring freeze.